Chapter 27: Inside the Apothecary

Immortal Art, White Tiger Visualization Method.

His heart surged with excitement.

This visualization method was directly recorded on his attribute panel, even as a separate entry, with the special annotation “Immortal Art.”

What is “Immortal Art”?

It is the way of cultivating immortality.

Although he had previously believed this was merely the inheritance of a Yin-walker, based on the descriptions he’d seen about the White Tiger Visualization, it certainly belonged among the arts of immortality.

Yin-walkers were simply the catch-all title for ghost-catchers in the current world. In essence, what they practiced was an immortal legacy—perhaps not as exalted or high-ranking as those of orthodox cultivators, but immortal art nonetheless.

Immortal art remains what it is, regardless of the level or might of the practitioner.

As for the label “Not yet initiated,” that seemed only natural. It was his first attempt at cultivating; everything was still in the exploratory stage. There was no way he could have already achieved true initiation.

In fact, the mere fact that the technique had been recorded on the panel suggested that it was indeed a genuine, cultivable method.

Perhaps, in the future, he would even be able to use this function on the panel to discern the authenticity of other techniques?

“Next, continue!”

Chen Yushu slowly calmed his excitement, formed hand seals once more, and allowed his mind to grow tranquil.

After a short while, he again slipped into deep sleep, entering a state of meditation.

Then, by drawing upon a sliver of “spiritual light,” he began to visualize the White Tiger illustration.

With his mind’s eye, he constructed the image of the White Tiger, piece by piece.

Gradually, the outline of the White Tiger emerged.

Next came the limbs.

But when he had barely finished constructing the second leg, his concentration wavered, and he was forced out of the state once more.

“This time, it was because my mental energy was exhausted and I couldn’t maintain the meditation, so I withdrew,” he thought.

Chen Yushu felt a deep weariness of spirit, but understood. The act of visualizing the White Tiger, while it could strengthen his mind, also demanded a significant toll of his mental power.

The White Tiger formed in his mind was painted stroke by stroke with his own spirit, much like a painter slowly bringing a canvas to life.

Every stroke consumed a measure of his spirit.

After breaking off from the visualization, Chen Yushu could hold out no longer. He didn’t even need to use hand seals or hypnotize himself; the moment he closed his eyes, he sank swiftly into sleep.

This time, he slept straight through until dawn.

...

In the front hall of the Liu Family Apothecary, a group of apprentices stood neatly in formation.

A few others stood before them.

One was Zhou Zheng, the front hall supervisor.

He clearly practiced martial arts; simply standing there, he exuded a powerful presence. His gaze swept across the apprentices, carrying a hint of authority.

At his side stood two others.

One was Wang Yuan, who had recently achieved minor success in his stance training and begun studying external strengthening techniques.

The other was noticeably younger and more slender than most present—Chen Yushu, who had just finished his morning stance practice.

At that moment, over a dozen pairs of eyes were fixed on them, faces calm and unreadable.

“Let me introduce you,” Supervisor Zhou began, looking at the crowd. “These two—Wang Yuan and Chen Yushu—will be working here with you from now on.”

“They’re both new and unfamiliar with decocting or dispensing medicine. Who among you is willing to guide them?”

“I’m from the same hometown as Wang Yuan—let me show him the ropes,” said one burly apprentice.

“Thank you, Brother Liu,” Wang Yuan replied quickly, clearly having arranged this beforehand, and moved to stand by his side.

However, none of them were familiar with Chen Yushu.

Everyone had their own work and was unwilling to be distracted.

Besides, they all knew Chen Yushu had only just joined the apothecary and couldn’t even recognize all the herbs.

Taking him on would be a significant burden.

“Wang Kui, how about you?” Supervisor Zhou asked one of the group with a smile.

“Supervisor Zhou, I’m at a critical stage in my training right now and can’t afford any distractions,” Wang Kui replied, glancing at Chen Yushu and shaking his head.

“Lu Yuan, what about you?” Zhou then turned to a tall, thin youth.

“I’d like to help, but Physician Liu said he needs me for house calls these next few days. I’ve already been assigned and won’t have the time.”

Still, no volunteers.

“I’ll do it. I’ve heard Brother Chen is a genius who mastered stance training in just three days. Perhaps in the future, we’ll all be relying on him.”

At last, a youth of seventeen or eighteen, whose face was already shadowed with a fine beard, stood up with a good-natured smile.

Supervisor Zhou’s face finally relaxed into a satisfied smile. “Very well. You’ll be with Xu San from now on.”

...

“Chen Yushu greets Senior Brother Xu. Thank you for your guidance,” Chen Yushu said respectfully, stepping forward.

“It’s nothing. I simply wanted someone to share my workload,” Xu San replied with a laugh.

Soon after, Supervisor Zhou departed, and the others dispersed to their respective duties.

Chen Yushu followed Xu San.

“To master stance training in just three days—you’ve really shocked all of us,” Xu San said with a smile.

Chen Yushu glanced at him but said nothing.

“You must be wondering why, knowing you’re a genius, none of us wanted to help you?” Xu San continued, evidently not one to keep things to himself. “Actually, it’s not so strange. The year-end assessment is coming up soon.”

“Year-end assessment?” Chen Yushu was taken aback.

“Normally, neither the shopkeeper, the supervisors, nor the physicians bother much with us. After all, anyone allowed to work here has already reached minor success in stance training. If you want to stay, you almost certainly can—you won’t be driven out. But apprentices are just that—apprentices. We all want to advance. The year-end assessment is the standard for promotions.”

“There are three main parts: recognizing and identifying herbs, dispensing and decocting medicine, and finally, martial arts cultivation.”

Xu San smiled as he continued. “There are twelve apprentices in the shop: four studying to be physicians and eight learning to decoct medicine. The physician apprentices are a case apart, as their assessment is different from ours. According to the shop’s usual rules, whoever places first in the year-end assessment can be promoted immediately to the rank of physician apprentice and study medicine directly under Physician Liu or Physician Jiao.”

“But this rule was broken last year.”